Pathogen detection

Abstract

In some examples, a pathogen detection sensor includes an electrical circuit changeable from a first impedance state to a second impedance state in response to a change in the presence of pathogens (e.g., in response to pathogen growth). A substrate of a vascular access includes at least a part of the pathogen detection sensor, such as, for example, part of the electrical circuit. In this way, the pathogen detection sensor may be positionable proximate to a vascular access site in order to detect the presence of pathogens at or near a vascular access site of a patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pathogen detection system comprising:
 an electrical circuit changeable, from a first impedance state to a second impedance state, in response to a pathogen, the electrical circuit comprising:
 a first electrical contact; and 
 a second electrical contact electrically connectable to the first electrical contact by the presence of a pathogen extending between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, wherein the electrical circuit is in the second impedance state when the first and second electrical contacts are electrically connected to each other through the presence of the pathogen. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pathogen detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit comprises a flexible circuit. 
     
     
         3 . The pathogen detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact each comprise respective electrically conductive traces. 
     
     
         4 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact each comprise a biocompatible metal. 
     
     
         5 . The pathogen detection system of  claim 4 , wherein the biocompatible metal comprises at least one of silver and gold. 
     
     
         6 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit further comprises electrically conductive particles within an electrically nonconductive substrate, the electrically conductive particles disposed between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. 
     
     
         7 . The pathogen detection system of  claim 6 , wherein the conductive particles comprise a biocompatible metal. 
     
     
         8 . The pathogen detection system of  claim 7 , wherein the biocompatible metal comprises at least one of silver and gold. 
     
     
         9 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 6 , further comprising a substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the substrate disposed between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. 
     
     
         10 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 6 , wherein the substrate defines an opening extending from the first side of the substrate to the second side of the substrate, the first electrical contact comprising a first layer of conductive material on the first side of the substrate, and the second electrical contact comprising a second layer of conductive material on the second side of the substrate, wherein the first and second electrical contacts are electrically connectable to one another through growth of the pathogen through the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrical contacts are on a same one of the first side or the second side of the substrate. 
     
     
         12 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 6 , wherein substrate comprises a protective cover. 
     
     
         13 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 6 , wherein the substrate comprises a hemostatic patch. 
     
     
         14 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 6 , further comprising an access line coupled to the substrate, wherein the access line is introducible into vascular of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The pathogen detection system of  claim 14 , wherein the substrate comprises an antimicrobial collar disposed about a circumference of the access line, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact each positioned along the antimicrobial collar. 
     
     
         16 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrically insulative layer over the first electrical contact and over the second electrical contact, the electrically insulative layer permeable to growth of the pathogen. 
     
     
         17 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit further comprises a radio frequency antenna in electrical communication with the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. 
     
     
         18 . The pathogen detection system of  claim 17 , further comprising a reader device configured to transmit an interrogation signal that energizes the radio frequency antenna, wherein, in response to the interrogation signal, the radio frequency antenna is configured to transmit a status signal to the reader device, and the reader device is configured to determine, based on the received status signal, whether the electrical circuit is in the first impedance state or in the second impedance state. 
     
     
         19 . The pathogen detection system of  claim 17 , wherein the radiofrequency antenna is a passive radiofrequency antenna. 
     
     
         20 . The pathogen detection system of any of  claim 17 , further comprising a light emitter and a power source, wherein electrical communication between the light emitter and the power source is dependent upon whether the electrical circuit is in the first impedance state or in a second impedance state.